Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-02-09

mon case, Kate; somebody over at some
body's place was showed in for four weeks,
and now it appears that even the Summit
house is not always accessible. John ought
to have known it when he bought the place;
in fact, was ashamed to admit that he did
not. But that is like John to prefer his own
theories to the experience Of Others How
ever, don't suppose we should even notice
the privation except for the mails. 1t will
be lesson to John, though. AS MIR. Lee
says, he is on the outside, and can probably
go wherever he likes from the Summit ex-
cept to come here"
"Mr Lee?" echoed Kate.
ayes, the wounded one; and the others
name is Falkner. asked them in order that
you might be properly introduced. There
were very respectable Falkners in Charles
town, you remember; I thought you might
warm to the name and perhaps trace the con-
nection now that you are such good friends
It's providential they are here, as we haven't
got horse or man in the place since Man.
uel disappeared, though Mr.. Falkner says he
can't be far away, or they would have met
him on the trail if he had gone, toward the
summit
"Did they say anything more of ManuelP
"Nothing; though I am inclined to cgree
with you that he isn't trustworthy. But that
again is the result of Johns idea of employ
ing native skill at the expense Of retaining
native habits"
The evening closed early, and with no
diminution in the falling rain and rising
wind. Falkner kept his word, and unostcn-
tatiously performed the outdoor work in the
barn and stables, assisted by. the only Chi
nese servant remaining, and under the ad-
vice and supervision of Kate. Although he
seemed to understand horses, she was sur
prised to find that he betrayed a civic ignor-
ance of the ordinary details of the farm and
rustic household. 1t was quite impossible
that she should retain her distrustful atti-
tude or be his reserve in their enforced COM
panionship They talked freely of subjects
suggested by the situation, Falkner exhibit
ing general knowledge and intuition Of
things without parade or dogmatism. Doubt
full of all versatility as Kate was, she could
not help admitting to herself that his truths
were none the less true for their quantity or
that he got at them without ostentatious
processes His talk certainly was more pic
turesque than her brothers and less subdu-
ing to her faculties John had always crushed
her.
When they returned to the house he did
not linger in the parlor or sitting room, but
at once rejoined his friend. When dinner
was ready in the dining room, a littlo moro
deliberately arranged and ornamented than
usual, the two women were somewhat sur
prised to receive an excuse from Falkner,
begging them to allow him for the present to
take his meals with the patient and thus save
the necessity of another attendant.
ut is all shyness, Kate" said Mrs. Hale,
confidently, "and must not be permitted for
q moment"
I'm sure should be quite willing to stay
with the poor boy myself" said Mrs. Scott,
simply, sand take Mr.. Falkner'S place while
he dimes"
"You are too willing, mother said Mrs.
Hale pertly, land your poor boy, as you call
him, will never see So again
"Ho will never see any other birthday" re-
torted her mother, "unless you keep him
more quiet He only talks when you're in
the ROOM" ...
"Hc wants some relief to his friends long
face and mustaches that make him look
prematurely in mourning" said Mrs. Hale,
with slight increase of animation. Il don't
propose to leave them too much together.
After dinner we'll adjourn to their room and
tighten it up little. You must come, Kate,
to look at the patient and coumtrrm,t the bale
iul effects of my frivolity."
Mrs. Hale's instincts were trurr than her
mothers experience; not only that tho
wounded mans eyes became brighter under
the provocation of her presence, but it was
evident that his naturally exuberaIt spirits
were part of his vital strength, and were
absolutely essential to his quick recovery.
Encouraged by Falkners grave and practical
assistance, which she could not ignore, Kate
ventured to make an examination Of Lees
wound. Even to her Impractical eye it was
less serious than at first appeared. The great
loss of blood had been due tc the laceration
of certain small vessels below the knee, but
neither artery nor bone w"s injured. A re-
currencc of the hemorrhaae or fever was tho
only thing to be feared, and these could be
averted by bandaging, repose and simple
nursing.
The unfailing good humor Of the patient
under this manipulation, the quaint origin
ality of his speech, the freedom of his fancy,
which was, however, always controlled by
certain instructive tact, began to affect Kate
nearly as it had the Others She found her.
self laughing over the work she had under
taken in pure sense of duty; she joined in
the hilarity produced by Lees affected terror
of her surgical mania, and offered to undo
the bandages in search of the thimble he de-
clared she had left in the wound with view
to further experiments.
"You ought to broaden your practice" lie
"A good deal might be made out
Of Ned and piece of soap left carelessly on
then first step of the staircase, while noun
tains Of surgical opportunities lie in hum-
ble orange peel judiciousy exposed. Only I
il